Chapter Text
"I'm sorry, but what?"
It was a question that was on all their minds but Sakura was the one to ask it first. She wasn't sure if it was because she was the one that was in shock the least or if she was just the most vocal—wait, it couldn't be that. Naruto was always the most vocal so that just meant she didn't know what was going on in the brain of her mentor.
Tsunade's golden eyes narrowed on her apprentice and Sakura almost shivered in response. She wouldn't have asked if she hadn't been truly perplexed. "The Council has decided that too many ninja in this village are single. Clans are dying out and the use of birth control and other contraceptives have been adopted a little too religiously. So a technique called hand fasting has been proposed."
"What's that Granny?" Tsunade's eyes flashed in warning at the hyperactive ninja because of the use of the "unwarranted" nickname but the look was ignored as it often was until she decided to send him through a window or wall or whatever was handy at the time.
"It's a trial marriage, idiot, for a year. If at the end of the year if the two want to end the marriage because of incompatibly reasons then they can—unless a child is conceived. Then you're stuck with each other forever."
"Yeah, but what does that have to do with us?" Naruto said, scratching his head puzzled.
"The entire village has always had its eyes on your team. If you fall in line the others will follow suit." Tsunade explained.
"We're guinea pigs." Sakura whispered horrified. Tsunade paused for a brief second before replying with a grave, "Yes."
"You can't do this Granny!"
"Actually, I can. If it means keeping Clans from dying out, keeping bloodlines from being lost." At the enraged look that flickered across more than one face Tsunade held up her hand in a placating gesture. "It's only for a year and it's only to encourage some of the others to actually marry."
"So it's like a mission." Sakura stated starting to calm down a little bit.
"No, Sakura it's not. I want the three of you to actually try to make this work. It may be difficult but from what I hear that's marriage but in the long run it could work and you could be happy." Sakura shook her head slowly in disbelief.
"Who would you have us hand fast with?" Sasuke, who was surprisingly the calmest of them all asked. Sakura wished he hadn't asked the question. She didn't want to know…unless she somehow ended up with…him. But she had a feeling that wouldn't be the case and if it wasn't….
She was already feeling her heart shatter into a million pieces.
"Naruto you will be paired with Yamanaka Ino." Sakura's jaw dropped open. That was the last person she ever expected to hear. It would be more logical to put Hinata with Naruto. The Hyuuga already had an undying affection for the Kyuubi container and she was the perfect balance for Naruto.
"Tsunade-sama, wouldn't Hyuuga Hinata be a better fit for Naruto?" Naruto glanced at Sakura with a frown and Sakura knew he was puzzled as to why she would actually offer a suggestion for the madness but truly if they were going to be stuck in this she wanted at least one of them to find some sort of happiness and she truly believed that Naruto could be happy with Hinata.
"It was considered, Sakura, however it was decided that it would be best if Naruto was matched with the Yamanaka Clan."
"Ino won't be happy about this." Sakura said biting her bottom lip.
"You're right. She wasn't happy when she was informed. However, she's a big girl and she can take care of herself. Now, Sasuke, you will be paired with Tenten."
Sasuke blinked slowly. "Who is that?"
Sakura stared at Tsunade in shock. Even though a part of her knew that she wouldn't be the one chosen to be with Sasuke it still hurt. A million tiny little knives forced their way to her heart but Sakura resolved she wouldn't cry. It would be foolish to cry over a man who belonged to another woman.
"She's on the team with Hyuuga Neji." Tsunade explained with patience that no one knew she had. Recognition shone in Sasuke's eyes before he frowned. "My family won't accept a kunoichi who shows no capability of greatness."
"Your family will accept who I tell them to. I am the Hokage of this village—not the Uchiha Clan. We wouldn't be in this situation if the Clans hadn't stopped feeling the need to produce children shortly after your generation. As it stands you, Uchiha Sasuke, are the youngest member of your clan which is unacceptable." When Tsunade was certain that no more words would issue forth from Sasuke's mouth she turned to Sakura.
"Sakura you will be paired with Kakashi." There was a pause before three voices yelled simultaneously, "Kakashi!"